Completion of Virgin Islands power generation project postponed

Propane storage tanks are in place on St. Croix. Photo courtesy of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority

The U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) pushed back the completion date of its conversion to propane electrical generation from August to October, according to the St. Croix Source.

WAPA has been making strides to move away from oil for power generation and toward propane since 2013 in an effort to reduce electricity costs on the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas. The $150 million undertaking has cost WAPA more than initially planned and has seen numerous changes in its projected completion date, the St. Croix Source reports.

Julio Rhymer, WAPA’s interim executive director, says the project was delayed due to an operational failure during the commissioning process and an engineering design flaw that will be corrected within the next few weeks. Rhymer adds that the project is scheduled for completion in October, with both plants fully burning propane and delivering power to the grid.